Race politics after Obama

By BEN SMITH

09/29/2009 03:40 PM EDT

Two Democratic primary run-offs in New York today offer a glimpse at the future of urban politics.

The ad above is from the frontrunner for public advocate, Bill de Blasio; it doesn't really make any bones about its central purpose -- mirrored in much of his media -- which is informing voters that his wife is African-American. Intermarriage didn't, of course, used to be a political asset; in this case, his campaign made what seems to be an accurate calculation that images of his wife and kids would swing the contest his way.

The frontrunner in the comptroller's race, meanwhile, is John Liu, who will be the city's first Asian citywide elected official if he wins on his labor-backed coalition of black, Hispanic, and Asian voters.

In both contests, race and tribe -- as always -- are very much in play. But the picture is so much more complicated than it used to be.

I'd be interested in whether readers are seeing similar dynamics in their own local contests.